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Elementary Schools in Chico, California: Chico schools average near the state. The 50.0-point spread is where the choice actually lives.

Near Average2024–25 data12 schools · avg 44.5/100

Chico, California has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 44.5/100 — within 0.7 points of the state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Sierra View Elementary at 71/100, where 48.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Chico schools average 21.4% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.1% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
44.5
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
50.0
20.9 – 70.9
Avg Exceeded %
21.4%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
16.1%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
12
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary12Developing
44.5/100
21.4%+0.7
High5Developing
42.4/100
13.4%-5.1
Middle5Developing
35.1/100
13.7%-5.4

How Chico schools compare

Chico has 12 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 44.5/100 — within 0.7 points of the state average of 43.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Sierra View Elementary with a Scope Score of 71 and 48.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Chico averages 16.1% — below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Exceeded 40% · Met+Exceeded 22% · Growth 15% · Absenteeism 10% · Suspension 5% · ELPAC 5% · Baseline 3%

School archetypes in Chico

2 Strong All-Around2 Culture First8 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Chico

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sierra View Elementary
Chico Unified Strong All-Around
48.6%Strong
71/100
2Pleasant Valley High
Chico Unified Strong All-Around
31.9%Solid
65/100
3Chico High
Chico Unified Building Momentum
30.8%Solid
64/100
4Parkview Elementary
Chico Unified Strong All-Around
33.6%Solid
63/100
5Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High
Chico Unified Building Momentum
25.7%Solid
53/100
6Shasta Elementary
Chico Unified Culture First
29.1%Solid
51/100
7Hooker Oak Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
22.9%Solid
50/100
8Emma Wilson Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
19.8%Developing
49/100
9Marigold Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
19.7%Developing
48/100
10Neal Dow Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
25.3%Developing
46/100
11Bidwell Junior High
Chico Unified Building Momentum
17.2%Developing
44/100
12Rosedale Elementary
Chico Unified Culture First
19.8%Developing
42/100
13Chico Junior High
Chico Unified Building Momentum
18.1%Developing
40/100
14Little Chico Creek Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
18.4%Developing
38/100
15Citrus Avenue Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
8.3%Developing
32/100
16McManus (John A.) Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
5.5%Needs Support
24/100
17Chapman Elementary
Chico Unified Building Momentum
5.7%Needs Support
21/100
18Fair View High (Continuation)
Chico Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
15/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 18 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Chico

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Notre Dame School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 228 students
20:1Private
Chico Oaks Adventist School
Pentecostal · Grades Pre-K-8 · 110 students
14:1Private
Hope Academy for Personalized Education
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 60 students
12:1Private
Pleasant Valley Baptist School
Amish · Grades Pre-K-12 · 25 students
5:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Chico

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Chico good?
Chico's 12 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 44.5/100, which is within 0.7 points of the state average. 21.4% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights seven dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), ELPAC proficiency (5%), suspension rate (5%), and baseline proficiency (3%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Chico?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Chico is Sierra View Elementary with a Scope Score of 71/100 and 48.6% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Chico schools compare to the state average?
Chico elementary schools average a Scope Score of 44.5/100 — within 0.7 points of the state average of 43.8. The exceeded rate averages 21.4% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.1% vs. 18.1% statewide.
How many schools are in Chico?
Chico has 12 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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